University of Benin

INTRODUCTION The Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Geosciences and Petroleum Engineering, University of Benin is a collaborative effort between the University and the Shell Petroleum Development Company (...SPDC) of Nigeria Limited. It is intended that in the short to medium term the collaborative effort will broaden to include other industry players including Exploration and Production Companies operating in Nigeria as well as those who provide consultancy services across the spectrum of the E&P business. The Centre is governed by a Trust Deed and Governance Framework between the industry (SPDC) and the University of Benin. PHILOSOPHY OF THE PROGRAMMES AT THE CoE The academic programs in the Centre of Excellence are designed to develop skilled professional graduates in all key areas required in the Oil and Gas sector, including Geosciences, Engineering and Technology. At the point of graduation, graduates of the Centre would have acquired the requisite skills to make them fully functional and ready for opportunities in the oil and gas industry. A successful completion of the academic program will lead to the award of Master of Science degree of the University of Benin in: 1) Integrated Petroleum Exploration and Evaluation Studies (Geology or Geophysics option) 2) Integrated Petroleum Engineering and Production Studies. The programs are designed to cover a period of eighteen (18) months that includes six (6) months of internship geared towards executing a practical research project in an Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Company. Apart from the training that will be given through a wide array of subject modules, Students will also be exposed and equipped with up-to-date knowledge of recent concepts and skills, technological know-how, work flows and leadership training to make them functional and productive in a dynamic technologically driven world. This unique feature of the training ensures that the graduates are employable and adaptable and very relevant to the oil and gas industry. In order to achieve this, the Centre has been equipped with the necessary hardware and IT infrastructure, as well as data sets and up to date subsurface analyses and interpretation software for both teaching and research. It is important that graduates of the Centre acquire and develop a mindset and intellectual orientation that responds to problem solving challenges.